inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Religious Affairs is collaborating with the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration in implementing the 2025 Zakat Village program.

The Director of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Waryono Abdul Ghafur, said this collaboration aims to optimize zakat potential in villages to support community welfare.

"Authorities on villages are structurally closer to the Ministry of Villages. There is the Merah Putih Cooperative, there is the BUMDes, and this is what we are collaborating on. Village potential is also diverse, ranging from plantations, agriculture to maritime affairs," said Director Waryono on Monday (8/25/2025).

The 2025 Zakat Village program targets 35 villages in various regions. The goal is to develop a productive zakat ecosystem with a potential of up to IDR 51 trillion. Its utilization is directed at local economic empowerment sectors, such as plantations, agriculture, and maritime affairs.

"This collaboration is based on the enormous potential of villages that has not been optimally developed," said Director Waryono.

He explained that the Ministry of Religious Affairs will focus on consolidation and coordination between parties, while the Ministry of Villages will act as a strategic partner in strengthening village institutions, especially through Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes).

"Hopefully, in the future, village communities will be truly empowered," said Director Waryono.

According to him, one of the main focuses of this collaboration is integrating the role of BUMDes in distributing income zakat. BUMDes will be facilitated to collaborate with Zakat Collection Units (UPZ) established at the village level.

This scheme is expected to facilitate village communities in paying zakat while ensuring that the collected funds are managed transparently and productively.

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